Brainerd Daily Dispatch, Saturday, October 6, 1956, Ruth Lake Fire

Brainerd Daily Dispatch

Saturday, October 6, 1956

90-Year-Old Woman Dies in Ruth Lake Fire

Invalid Caught In Bed After Gas Explosion

     The body of Mrs. Mary Ettie Marriott, 90-year-old invalid, was found late Friday afternoon in the fire-gutted ruins of the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. John Sea at Sea’s Resort on the southern tip of Ruth Lake ten miles northwest of here.

     Mrs. Mike Setula, a neighbor woman, escaped the blaze.  She had been staying with Mrs. Marriott while the Seas were gone yesterday afternoon.

     Authorities said the blaze apparently started about 2 p.m. yesterday when a gas stove exploded while Mrs. Setula was lighting it to make bread.  Mrs. Setula was singed in the blast, but was not injured.  Friends said Mrs. Setula was not familiar with gas stoves.

     The two-story frame dwelling was a raging inferno in a matter of minutes, and coupled with the dense smoke, Mrs. Setula was unable to get Mrs. Marriott out of the house.  Her body was found, still in bed, in the charred ruins of the house about three hours later.

     The Seas had left the house about 1:30 p.m. yesterday for Brainerd on an errand.  They left Mrs. Setula with Mrs. Marriott when they went, because the elderly lady was unable to get around by herself.

     Smoke and flames were spotted by a forestry tower at Gull Lake, and first indications were that a forest fire had started, according to authorities.  Forestry fire fighting equipment was rushed to the scene and contained the fire but were unable to save the house.

     Several trees and a broad expanse of lawn were charred by the flames, but none of the other buildings at the resort were destroyed.

     Sea estimated the loss at $15,000 following the blaze yesterday, and indicated the home was covered by insurance.

     Mrs. Marriott was born Sept. 1, 1866, in Reed City, Ill, and had been a permanent resident here for the past two years.  She had spent the summer here for ten years prior to that.

     She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Sea and Mrs. Pearl Harding, Pekin, Ill; and a son, Benjamin, East Peoria, Ill.

     Funeral services will be held at Pekin, Ill.  The body is at Halvorson-Johnson Funeral home

Researched by Terry McCullough

Transcribed by Jack Hickerson